UK Paedophiles

Let me start by being really clear, that all child sexual abuse needs to be stopped. That includes everything: from inappropriate sexual conversations with children, sexual behaviour in the presence of a child through to looking at child abuse images and contact offences with children.

The earlier they contact StopSO, the fewer victims are created, and the easier it is for the perpetrator to change their behaviour. Eighty-five per cent of these perpetrators referred themselves, and eight per cent were 'non-offending paedophiles,' who recognise that they have a sexual preference for children but are determined not to act on it, or break the law.

Every paedophile was once somebody's little child, a member of somebody's family. To imagine that they are somehow distinct from us, that they are 'those monsters over there' is a fairy-story we can no longer afford to believe.

Harris may be released from prison before he dies, but I would suggest his rehabilitation has much further to go if he doesn't recognise that the public sees him as a child abuser first and foremost. He was never much of an artist anyway and nobody wants to listen to a sex attacker smearing his victims.

In order to stop this perpetual cycle of abuse... we need to make it easier and more acceptable for people with paedophile tendencies to get treatment. More research also needs to be carried out to help identify the 30% of children who have been abused and who are at risk of growing up to become abusers themselves.

A question that troubles me is why people still make jokes about paedophiles. It's not as if the whole area hasn't been thoroughly exposed in recent years. My guess is that for all the public attention it's simply something that most people can't understand.

If we are going to protect children from sexual abuse we must make sure that anyone who recognises they have a problem, and want help to make sure they don't harm a child, is supported in getting treatment. I don't think you can 'cure' someone of paedophilia but you can use therapy to help them control their urges.

There are very few crimes which provoke such powerful emotions as child sexual abuse. The predatory paedophiles who commit these vile and abhorrent offences destroy the lives of their vulnerable victims for their own depraved gratification. It is a stain on civilised society, and one this government is absolutely determined to remove.